The Andhra Pradesh government on Monday stepped up its austerity drive as it decided to restrict the expenses of senior government officials, bureaucrats, ministers and legislators.

According to reports, the proposed measures include restrictions on foreign trips by officers, ministers and legislators, ban on business class travel, ceiling on hotel expenses and use of fancy cars for official trips.

The state which just organized a massive ceremony worth crores of rupees for laying the foundation stone of its new capital 'Amaravati', has also faced criticism for hiking the salary of all government employees.

However, despite the empty coffers, the state's top officials are on a world tour to 'study' newly built cities, so they can replicate some ideas for their own capital.

According to a Times of India report, The government has finalised a list of eight Asian cities, one South American city and one European city, and the tour will wind up on November 7. 

"It's a very important exercise and our officials will visit different cities to find the best possible examples of excellence," Ajay Jain, principle secretary of CRDA, told the newspaper.

One CRDA team is already in China, while many other teams will begin their tours on Wednesday.